International

Isaurian wins on debut

With late scratchings due to a traffic delay on Sydney’s freeway system it was a small but select field for the $40,000, Pluck@Vinery Handicap (1100m) for maiden three-year-old colts and geldings at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, but punters had made their minds up beforehand and Godolphin’s Isaurian did not disappoint.

The Exceed And Excel colt had won two trials and he was backed from$2.40 into $1.60 on the tote by race start with good outlays including $4,000 at $2.30.

Five runners left the barriers with leading sires Redoute’s Choice, Snitzel and I Am Invincible represented along with Godolphin’s home bred. Hugh Bowman on Isaurian settled second with Eleazar and Corey Brown leading the way.

On the turn into the home straight Bowman let Isaurian go forward alongside the leader and with 300m to run they were leading. Bowman waited until 150m from the line until he let Isaurian go and when he did the colt went away impressively with a hands and heels ride to record a 2 1/2L winning margin.

Enfield (Redoute’s Choice) and Kerrin McEvoy were second with Military Academy (Snitzel) third, the margin 1/4L. Eleazer was fourth.

The time was 1.03.77 on the Good 3 track with the final 600m in 34.10.

“He will improve on that, his nerves let him down a little today. Although he performed very well I think he will be much better for the experience of his first day at the races and with a bit of a release of nervous energy I would expect him to be much more comfortable next time,” said Bowman.

“There is no doubt about his ability and I would not be surprised at all to see him featuring in a listed or Group 3 race at Flemington down the straight over the carnival,” he added.

Isaurian is out of the Elusive Quality mare Byzantine and his maiden win opened his stakes earning tally at $33,220.

The stable made it a winning maiden double when the Street Cry filly Savatiano won the following race for three-year-old fillies, the McGrath Estate Agent ACT Handicap (1100m).

The filly had previously raced in black type company and back in class she was able to open her account under Brenton Avdulla with a tidy 1/2L win over Empress Matilda with Boorooj back in third.